Belarus president frees six jailed opponents before election

Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko has released from jail six opposition leaders — considered the last political prisoners in the ex-Soviet state — less than two months before the next presidential poll, the presidency announced Saturday. Among the freed opponents is Mikola Statkevich, a former presidential candidate imprisoned since 2010. “Considering humane principles, President Lukashenko has decided to pardon and allow to go free” the six opposition figures, the presidency said.